Sunset Platy
Scientific Name :Xiphophorus maculatus
Common Names : Sunset Platy
Care Level : Easy, good first fish for freshwater fish beginners
Size : 6 cm
pH : 7 – 8
Temperature : 18°C – 26°C
Water Hardness : 10° to 25° dH
Origin / Habitat : Central America
Lifespan : 2 – 3 years
Temperament / Behavior : This is a good tropical fish for the beginner. They are a very peaceful tropical fish. Also, it can be a good idea to have two females for every one male. Doing this will prevent the male from harassing a single female.
Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : They are livebearers which means that the babies can swim immediately after birth. Usually, not much effort is required to get them to breed. If you have a male and a female, chances are they will breed. The parents must be separated from the young after birth. For more information on breeding them, please read the breeding livebearers article. That article talks about guppies and swordtails but the process is similar with Platies.
Tank Size : 10 gallon or larger.
Compatible Tank Mates : They make an excellent fish for a community tank given their peaceful nature.
Fish Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease – Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment
Diet / Fish Food : Give them a varied diet consisting of flakes, live and freeze dried foods for optimum health.
Tank Region : All over the aquarium
Gender : The female is usually bigger than a male of the same age. Males also have a modified anal fin called a gonopodium.
